Week 2 of Jim Leonhard’s reign as Wisconsin head coach finds the Badgers on the road again facing another struggling Big Ten team.
Michigan State is 2-4, having beaten two MAC teams and losers of four straight, each loss by double digits.
Wisconsin hasn’t exactly shined this season but last week’s convincing win over Northwestern at least gives the Badgers a little juice (and a seven-point favorite on the road).
If Leonhard get the W, he’ll not only get the Badgers to above-.500 but also be the first first-year Wisconsin coach to win his first two Big Ten games.
The Spartans are floundering, so it’s a good chance for Wisconsin to pad its record. A loss, though, would kill all those good vibes from last week and perhaps leave people wondering if a bowl game is a realistic possibility.
Here’s this week’s picks from around the web:
Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Wisconsin 26, Michigan State 16. “Michigan State is getting killed on the lines. The offensive side isn’t doing a thing in pass protection for the ground game, and the defensive front isn’t nearly as disruptive as it needs to be. The team will be jacked up enough at home to come up with a good first quarter, but the energy will start to fizzle. The Badgers will be balanced, but this week will be about the running game that takes over in the second half. Jim Leonhard’s defense will handle everything else.”
Chip Minnich of Athlon Sports: Wisconsin 28, Michigan State 14. “Both teams had high hopes entering the 2022 season, and both have had to readjust expectations after some difficult losses. It is challenging to gauge how good Wisconsin actually is, considering the Badgers easily handled Northwestern, a team that may be the worst in the Big Ten this season. Michigan State has been battling injuries on the defensive side of the ball and is limited on offense due to its struggles running the ball. Look for Wisconsin to spoil the Spartans’ homecoming and help Leonhard improve to 2-0 as interim head coach.”
Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal: Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 22. “I can see how MSU can make this a game or even win it, having seen enough of Wisconsin this season. I’ve also seen enough of MSU to know that the only way to believe it at this point is to see it. And it is just as likely things could go wrong again. This is a massive game for the Spartans, maybe for Mel Tucker’s program — perhaps the swing between battling for bowl-eligibility and 3-9 or 2-10. I don’t think MSU’s players have quit. I just don’t know if, collectively and in key places, they’re good enough.”
Mark Wenzel of mlive.com: Wisconsin 27, Michigan State 24. “The coaching change appeared to bring some life to the Badgers while the Spartans are stuck in their longest losing streak in three years. This appears to be a winnable game for Michigan State if it can find a way to make stops, establish some semblance of a running game and get big plays from top receiver Jayden Reed and others. I don’t know how likely it is the Spartans can accomplish those goals but think they are in the game until late and just don’t have enough.”
Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Leader: Wisconsin 35, Michigan State 17. “If MSU wants to make a bowl game, it had better win here. It’s not like Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan — all to come — are going to make it any easier. My hunch is the Badgers respond, buoyantly, to their interim head coach, Jim Leonhard.”
Max Escarpio of Bleacher Report: Michigan State 26, Wisconsin 24.
Randy Johnson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 21.
Robert Bondy of Spartans Wire: Wisconsin 24, Michigan State 17. “On paper, Wisconsin isn’t a terrible matchup for the banged up Spartans. The Badgers don’t have the explosive passing attack of the four teams they’ve played during this losing streak, but the Spartans’ inability to slow the run scares me here. Combine that with lackluster offensive play in recent weeks, and it’s hard to pick a Michigan State victory. I don’t have this as a lock pick, but I’m leaning Wisconsin in this game.”
Trent Knoop of Wolverines Wire: Wisconsin 24, Michigan State 14. “I really can see either team winning this game. Graham Mertz looked masterful last weekend against Northwestern, but we have also seen him look lost out there. In the end, I’ll take Wisconsin’s defense over the Spartans’ offense.”
Riley Donald of Hawkeyes Wire: Wisconsin 24, Michigan State 10.
TJ of Picks and Parlays: Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 20.
Bill Connelly of ESPN: His S&P+ projection has it Wisconsin 29, Michigan State 23.
Five of eight writers at The Only Colors think Wisconsin will win.
All three Athlon Sports analysts are picking Wisconsin to win.
All four analysts at FootballScoop.com predict a Wisconsin victory.